Web supply means



March 24, 1935. -Dl J. SCOTT 2,034,333

WEB SUPPLY MEANS f Filed Nov. 22, 1932- sjlsheeiS-sheet 1 INVENTORATTORNEY A D. J. scoT-r' f. 2,034,838

WEB SUPPLY MEANS Filed NOV. 22, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lima@ .I wi BY @orATTORNEY MmchwZf, 1936. D. J, SCOTT 2,034,838

WEB SUPPLY MEANS Filed Nov. 22, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYMarch 24,1936. D. J. SCOTT 2034,83@

WEB SUPPLY MEANS Filed Nov. 22, 1952 A 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 gawd j .Simi/ZATTORN EY D. J. SCOTT WEB SUPPLY MEANS Much 24, 3936.

Filed Nov. 22, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 @of ATTO R N EY Patented Mar. 24,1936 UNITED STATES TENT OFFIQE 26 Claims.

'I'his invention relates generally to web supply means, and has moreparticularly reference to roll change mechanism such as are used inconnection with printing or other web-pulling machines.

The main object and feature of the invention is to provide simple andeiective means whereby a replenishing web roll can be substituted for anactive web roll without the necessity of stopping the printing machine,or without slowing it down unduly, in such a way as to avo-id unduestress on the running web when effecting a roll change. Other featuresof invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention is disclosed in a concreteand preferred form in Which:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation View, partly in section of a. deviceembodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view substantially on the plane of line 2-2 ofFig. 1, with parts broken away and in section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of one of the arms of the spider or reel withits equipment;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view substantially on the plane of line 4 4 ofFig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view looking in the direction of arrow 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic View showing the movement of the replenishingroll when a pasted joint is to be made; and v Fig. 7 is a diagrammaticview of the electrical controlling means of the device.

A plurality of rotatable web rolls, here three in number, are employed,said rolls being indicated by 20, 2l and 22. 20 is the active roll andhas its running web 23 threaded into a printing or other machine 24 thatunwinds the web from the roll. 2l and 22 are replenishing web rollsawaiting to` be employed and which in turn become active rolls. Thethree rolls are carried by spaced-apart arms 25 of a spider or reel 25,the center of rotation of which is indicated by shaft 21 and, when aroll change is to be eiected, shaft 21 is turned clockwise in Fig. 1 tobring the periphery of replenishing roll 2l in contact with running web23 so as to unite the webs of the active and replenishing rolls by meansof a pasted joint in a manner well understood. Any suitable means can beemployed to turn shaft 21 but, as here shown, an electric motor 28 isused for this purpose, said motor driving said shaft by a train oftransmission elements 29 to gear 36. Arms 25 of the spider carrybearings 3.1 for the reception of rotatable core-engaging or web rollsupporting means 38 that are provided with brake drums 39 for thereception of brake shoes 40, said brake drums having nonradial coolingfins 4l that by rotation of the brake drums, during the unwindingo-peration, tend to cool the braking elements. Each brake shoe isactuated by a brake lever 42 pivotally connected to one brake shoemember at 43 and pivotally connected to the other brake shoe member by alink 134. Although each web roll supportingv means is equipped with abrake mechanism, it is only desired to control the brake mechanism ofthe active web roll. In order to accomplish this, the following meansare employed: a plurality of rockshafts l5 are supported by shaft 21. Oneach rockshaft is an actuating lever 41 carrying a roller 48 toengageits corresponding brake lever. Also mounted on said rockshafts area plurality of arms 49, one on l each rockshaft and each carrying aroller 5B. 5I indicates a cam to engage each roller 5i! as the latterpasses beneath the same, and said cam is pivotally carried by two levers52 that are mounted on pins 5.3 supported on the framework. Levers 52are connected by link 55 and one of said levers is further pivotallyconnected to controller arm 56 which latter in turn is connected tocontroller roller 51 pivotally supported on shaft 58 which carries abalancing Weight 59 and has connection with the plunger of a dashpot inaccordance with the well-known Jones tension construction. Web 23 iscarried over rollers 6I and 62 and around roller 51, and said roller 51moves back and forth in response to the tightness or slackness of theweb. Thus if the active web roll is rotating too fast in response to thepull of the printing machine, slack will accumulate in the web and saidroller 51 will move to the right in Fig. 1 thereby exerting an upwardpull on rod 56 which Yhas the effect of bringing cam 5l nearer thecenter of shaft 21', thereby depressing roller 50 and actuating brakelever 42 to make the brake of the web roll more effective. Conversely,if the active web roll is rotating too slowly in response to the pull ofthe printing machine, web 23 will move roller 51 to the left in Fig. l,and this will, through the connections previously described, render thebrake of the active web roll less effective. It will be seen that whenreplenishing roll 2l is brought into contact with web 23` to make apasted joint, it is necessary to provide a backing means for the runningweb. As here shown, this backing means consists of a set of tapes'I oraprons Y63 carried by a frame 64 pivotally sup.-

ported at 65 on the main frame of the machine and having sustainingmeans 65a that admit of a limited pivotal movement of said frame butwhich normally hold the tapes out of contact with the running web. Oneend of the tapes may also be mounted in a spring-pressed bearing 66 thatpermits the tapes to more readily conform to the contour of thereplenishing roll when the latter brings the running web against thetapes. Continued rotation of shaft 2l causes the replenishing roll topass by the tapes to the final position occupied by roll 20 in Fig. 1.In the present instance, tapes 63 are not driven. Carried by one of thearms 25, of each set of arms that support a roll, is a boosting motor 69the armature pinion l of which engages a gear 'Il of the core-engagingmeans. This motor, 69, is energized only about the time when its roll isa replenishing roll that acts to effect a pasted joint between its weband the running web, and the object of the motor is to relieve unduestrain on the running web. Two methods may be employed to energize motor69, one of which consists in partially closing a'circuit by rotation ofthe reel but not to complete the circuit until an initial rotation hasbeen given to the replenishing roll, such initial rotation of thereplenishing roll being eiected by a push of the hand of the operator,or by a slight rotating movement of the roll caused by its engagementwith the running web and by the impingement of the latter against thebacking member. The other method consists in relying wholly uponrotation of the reel to close the circuit. To this end there arearranged certain stationary and rotating contacts, and, preferably, therotating contacts are in the form of rings or sectors 'l2 and 13 carriedby gear 36 and the stationary contacts or brushes 'I4 and l5 are carriedby bracket 'I6 of the framework. As shown in Fig. 6, replenishing roll2l, and its sector 73, is shown in dotted lines at the beginning of therotating movement of the reel, and the parts are shown infull lines atthe point where the replenishing roll has deflected the running web intoContact with the backing member. Sector 12 may, of course, be acontinuous ring. As previously indicated under the first-mentionedmethod, when the replenishing roll occupies the full-line position ofFig. 6, the circuit through motor 69 is partially closed and, byengagement of the roll, the running web and the backing member, saidroll is given a slight rotation about its own axis sufcient to bring dog'I8 (Fig. 3), carried by gear 1I, into engagement with switch 19,stationary on the framework thereby completing the circuitk Thisenergizes the boosting motor and causes it to drive the replenishingroll throughthe coreengaging means of the latter. After about onehalfrevolution, dog 80, also carried by gear ll turns switch 19 and rupturesthe circuit through motor 69. Dogs I8 and 80 are spring-pressed as shownin such amanner that during the subsequent rotation of the roll itsspeed will be suiiicient to throw said dogs outwardly by centrifugalaction. Also, it will be understood, when the replenishing roll reachesthe limit of its movement, due to rotation of the reel, and has becomean active roll, brush 'l5 will no longer be in engagement with sectorT3, so that Vthe motor circuit will likewise be broken at that point. Inthe second-mentioned method above referred to, switch 19 and dogs 'I8and 8D will be omitted and the timing of contacts 72, 13, 'Hl and 'l5will be slightly altered. Pinion 10 (Fig. 4) of motor 69 is arrangedlike the self-starter of an automobile, that is, rotation of motor 69causes screw 8l to feed said pinion to the left until it meshes withgear 'Il and comes against abutment member 82, when it begins to drivell. When motor 69 ceases rotation, the continued rotation of 'Il feedsthe pinion back to the right until it disengages gear 1l. After thepasted joint between the two webs has been effected, the web from thenow practically exhausted roll can be severed by hand, but it ispreferredto have a web-severing device carried by the spider or reel.Such web-servering device is here indicated by solenoids 11 carried byshaft 21, the detailed construction of which is omitted here but will befound disclosed in detail in my application Ser. No. 642,714, filed Nov.15, 1932. In order to actuate the web-severing solenoids, however, athird set of contacts or segments 83 is carried by gear 36 and a thirdbrush or shoe 84 is carried by bracket A'16. It may be mentioned inpassing, that shoesv lll, 'l5 and 84 -are carried by an arm 85 that isspring-pressed by means Vof coiled spring 86, so that when sidewiseadjustment of shaft 21 occurs to side register the rolls with thecylinders of the printing machine, said shoes will maintain contact Withthe complementary rings or sectors.

When the replenishing roll engages the running web and defiects fitagainst the backing member, the tapes of said backing member begin totravelv over the pulleys and thus assist in speeding up the web of thereplenishing roll. In the case of the first-mentioned method abovedescribed, this initial rotation of the replenishing roll closes acircuit through the boosting motor thereby relieving excessive strain onthe active web. This in turn enables the running web to assist thereplenishing web and thus tends to relieve the load on the boostingmotor. iConsequently the boosting motor, which has a high ultimatespeed, acceleratesand increases the speed of the replenishing roll, andso on. In the case of the second-mentioned method, the boosting'motorstarts to turn the replenishing roll at about the time the pasted jointis made, after which the interaction between the efforts of the motorand the combined eiorts ofthe running web and the backing member occurabout inthe manner above described.

In addition to .assisting in bringing the replenishing web up to speed,the device performs' an additional function if the brake control means,previously described, are used. As will beunderstood, the amplitude ofmovement of roller l is such that it will respond to variations intension of the running web within relatively narrow limits. Should itnow be attempted, by turning the spider on center 2i', to bring theperiphery of replenishing roll 2l from the dotted line-position shown inFig. 6 into the full lineposition shown, it will be seen that therunning web from active roll 26 will be subjected not only to theretarding iniiuence of its brake butV also to the inertia of web roll2l,because the replenishing roll will not merely contact the running web,but will v,bring said web against the backing means,lhere tapes 63. Thiswill cause such abnormal. fluctuations in the tension of the running webthat excessive movement of controllerl and the brake mechanism willresult. This condition is, however, avoided by the interaction betweentheboosting motor, the running web and the backing member which preventsexcessive movement of controller 5l' and-the brake mechanism. If amotor, as 123,

is utilized to turn the spider, it is desirable to employ a limitswitch, as indicated in Fig. 7, where a contact 61 controlling thecircuit of the motor is shown open, this having been effected by one ofthe high points of cam 58, carried by shaft 21, at the time the webrolls reach the position indicated in Fig. 1.

A preferred form of electrical equipment is shown'in Fig. '1. Motor 28should be capable not only of turning the spider to effect the bringingtogether of the two Webs, but should also be capable of adjusting theposition of the spider in either direction, and said motor is thereforereversible. By closing contact |53, current will flow from line wire|34, over wires IE5, |53 and |51, contact |83, wire |58, coil or relay|89 to line wire The energization of coil |33 closes contacts I and I|2, and current now ows from line wire |04, over wire I I3, contact I II, wire I I4, motor 23, wires ||5 and H6, contact H2, and wire ||1 backto line wire IH). This will cause motor 28 to rim in a forward directionto turn the spider clockwise in Fig. l. When contact ||3 is closed and|53 is open, current will flow from line wire |04, over wires |35, |55and |01, contact IIB, wire i9, coil or relay |25 and wire |2I back toline Wire III). The energization of coil |25 closes contacts |22 and|23, and current now flows from line wire |34, over wire |24, contact|22, wire ||5, motor 28, wire H4, wire |25, contact |23, and wire |25back to line wire |55. This will cause motor 28 to run in reversedirection to turn the spider counter-clockwise in Fig. l.

When a roll change is to be effected, the following equipment may beused: contact |21 is closed thereby establishing a circuit from linewire |54, over wires |55 and |28, contact |23, Wire |33, contact 51,wire |3|, contact |32, wire |33, contact |21, wire |34, coil or magnet|35, and wire |35` back to line wire H5. Energization of coil |35 closescontacts |31, |38 and |39. When contact |31 is closed, it establishes ashunt around contact |21 from wire |33, wire |43, contact |31, wire |4I,wire |34, magnet |35, wire |33` and line wire II, and therefore contact|21 can be released without deenergizing coil or magnet |35.Consequently contacts |31, When contact |38 is closed current will flowfrom line wire |54, over wires |55 and |36, contact |38, wire |42, wire|08, magnet |59 and back to line wire i3. It will be seen that thiscircuit shunts contact |53, but nevertheless energizes magnet |03 tothereby rotate motor 28 in a forward direction as previously described.When contact |39 is closed current will now from line wire |54, overwires |55 and |44, coil or magnet |45, wire |41, contact |33, and wires|43 and |36 back to line wire IID.

The energization of magnet |45 closes contact |49, and current will nowflow from line wire |54, wire |55, contact |49, wire I5I, brush 14, ring12, motor 69, ring 13, brush 15, wire |52, Contact 19, wire |5341.,contact |29, wire |35, contact 61, wire ISI, contact |32, wire |33, wire|40, contact |31, wire |4I, wire |34, magnet |35, and wire |36 back toline wire IIB. It will be understood that the exact moment when thiscircuit is closed is determined by the position of ring 13 with respectto shoe 15 and by the closingof switch 13. If switch 13 is omitted, thencurrent passes directly from |52 to |52al over dotted line indication|5211.

When it is desired to energize the web-severing solenoid, contact |43 isclosed and current will then ow from line wire |34, wire |55, contact|49, wire 15|, brush 14, ring 12, solenoid 11, seg- |38 and |39 willremain closed.

ment 83, brush 34, wire 200, contact |43, Wire |05 and back to line wireIII) either over the path established by |23 or |44.

Contact |29 is speed-governed being controlled by governor |53 and heldclosed when said governor is running below a given speed. The governoris driven by shaft |54 and the gearing shown from printing machine 24 sothat, in the present case, a roll change cannot be effected unless theprinting machine has had its speed reduced to a given point. In order toreadily ascertain when such reduced speed has been reached, a lamp'orother indicating device as |55 may be employed and it will be seen thatthis lamp is included in a circuit between contact |29 and line wire II0, said circuit here consisting of wires |55 and |51, which circuitwill be established whenever contact |29 is closed, even though contacts|21, |32 and 61 be open, because current can then flow from line wire|54 over wires |05 and |28, contact |29, wire |55, lamp |55, wire |51and back to line wire |0.

A brief summary of the operation of the device is as follows: when thelast previous roll change was effected, limit switch |51 was opened byone of the high points of cam 58 and thus all operating circuits weredestroyed and rotation of shaft 21 was stopped, contact |51 remainingopen. When it is now desired to make the next roll change, contact |53is closed just long enough to energize motor 28 to turn shaft 21suiciently to bring the high point of cam 68 past contact 61 whereby thelatter will close. Contact |21 will now be closed and (contacts |29, 51and |32 being in their closed position) the circuit previously describedwill be established through motor 28 to thereby rotate shaft 21 to bringthe replenishing roll against -the running web so as to deilect thelatter against the backing member and in due time energizing theboosting motor. Contact |21 can be released as soon as magnet |35becomes energized as said magnet will hold the circuit to motor 28closed in the manner previously described. Contact |43 is now closedthereby actuating the web-severing solenoid while shaft 21 is stillrotating. Upon completion of the required movement of shaft 21, contact51 will be opened by the next high point of cam 58 and the variouscircuits will be ruptured. Contact |32 is normally closed, but is a stopwhich can be opened at any time by the operator in case, for any reason,he desires to interrupt the roll change operation.

I claim:

l. Web supply means including: a support having an active web roll theweb of which is threaded into a machine that unwinds the web from theroll; a support having core-engaging means for a rotatable replenishingweb roll the web of which is to be united to the running web; a backingmember normally out of contact with the running web and normally idlebut capable of movement by engagement with the running web; means tobring the periphery of the replenishing roll into contact with therunning web to thereby deflect the latter into engagement with thebacking member so as to effect a pasted joint between the two webs; andadditional means, other than the running web and backing member, torotate the replenishing roll..

2. Web supply means including: a support having an active web roll theweb of which is threaded into a machine that unwinds the web from theroll; a support having core-engaging means for a rotatable replenishingweb roll the web of which is to be united to the running web; abacking'member-normally out of contact with the running web and normallyidle but capable of movement by engagement with the running web; meansto bring the periphery of the replenishing roll into contact with therunning web to thereby deect the latter into engagement With the backingmember so as to efrect a pasted joint between the two webs; and means torotate the replenishing roll through its core-engaging means.

3. Web supply means including: a support having an active web roll theweb of which is threaded into a machine that unwinds the web from theroll; a support having core-engaging means -for a rotatable replenishingweb roll the web of which is tobe united to the running web; a backingmember normally out of contact with therunning web and normally idle butcapable of `movement by engagement with the running web; means to bringtheperiphery of the replenishing roll into contact with the running webto thereby deflect the latter into engagement with the backing member soas to effect a pasted joint between the two webs; and additional means,other than the running web andbacking'member, to rotate the replenishingroll when the active web is deflected into engagement wit the backingmember.`

4. Web supply means including: a support having an active web roll theweb of which is threaded'into'a machine that unwinds the web from theroll; a support having core-engaging means for a rotatable replenishingweb roll the web of which is to be united to the running web; a backingmember normally out of Contact with the running web and normally idlebut capable of movement by engagement with the running webymeans tobring the periphery of thereplenishing roll into contact with therunning web tothereby deect the latter into engagement with the backingmember so as to effect a pasted `joint between the two webs; andadditional means, other than the running web and backing member, torotate the replenishing roll, said means controlled by the movement ofthe replenishing roll toward the active web.

' 5. Web supply means including: a support Ahaving an active web rollthe web of which is the running web and normally idle but capable ofmovement by engagement with the running web; means to bring theperiphery ofthe replenishing roll into contact with the running web tothereby deect the latter into engagement with the backingY member so asto eiect -a pasted joint between the two webs; and means to rotate thereplenishing roll through its` core-engaging means when the active webis deflected into engagement with the backing member.

6. Web supply means including: a support having an active web roll theweb' of which is threaded into a machine that unwinds the web from theroll; a support having core-engaging means for a rotatable replenishingweb roll the web-0f whichis to be united to the running web; a backingmember normally out of contact with the running `web and normally' idlebut capable of movement by engagement with the running web; means tobring the periphery of the replenishing roll into contact with therunning web to therebyV deflect the latter into engagement with thebacking member so as to effect a pasted joint between the two Webs; andmeans, controlled by the movement of the replenishing roll toward theactive web, to rotate the replenishing roll through its -core-engagingmeans.

7. Web supply means including: a rotatable reel to support a pluralityof rotatable web rolls having core-engaging means, each of which rollsis alternately an active roll with its running web threaded into amachine and a replenishing roll the web of which is to be united to therunning web of an active roll; a backing memberV normally out of contactwith the running web and normally idle but capable of movement byengagement with the running web; means to turn the reel to bring theperiphery of the replenishing roll into contact with the running web tothereby deect the latter into engagement with the backing member so asto effect a pasted joint between the two webs; andadditional means,other than the running web and backing member, to rotate thereplenishingroll.

8. Web supply means including: a rotatable reel to support a pluralityof rotatable web rolls having core-engaging means, each of Vwhich rollsis alternately an active roll with its running web threaded into amachine and ay replenishing roll the web of which is to be united to therunning web ofan active roll; a backing member normally out of contactwith the running -Web and normally idle but capable of movement byengagement with the running web; means to turn the reel to bring theperiphery of the replenishing` roll into contact with the running web tothereby deflect the latter into engagement with the backing member so asto effect a pasted joint between the two webs; and means to rotate thereplenishing roll through its core-engaging means. i

9. Web supply means including: a rotatable reel to support a pluralityof rotatable web rolls having core-engaging means, each of which rollsis alternately an active roll with its running web threaded into amachine and a replenishing roll the web of which is `to be united to therunning web of an active roll; a backing member normally out of contactwith the running web and normally idle but capable of movement by er1-gagement with the running web; means to turn the reel to bring theperiphery of the replenishing roll into contact with the running web tothereby deiiect the latter into engagement with the backing member so asto eiect a pasted joint between the two webs; and additional means,other than the running web and backing member, to rotate thereplenishing roll when the active web is deected into engagement withthe backing member.

l0. Web supply means including: a rotatable reel to support a pluralityof rotatable web rolls having core-engaging means, each of which rollsis alternately an active roll with its running web threaded into amachine and a replenishing roll the web of which is to be united to therunning web of an active roll; a backing member norcallyout of contactwith the running web and normally idle but capable of movement byengagement with the running web; means to turn the reel to bring theperiphery of the replenishing roll into contact with the running web tothereby deflect the latter into engagement with the backing member so asto effect a pasted joint between the two webs; and additional means,other than the running web and backing member,

to rotate the replenishing roll, said means controlled by the movementof the reel to bring thel replenishing roll into engagement with theactive web.

11. Web supply means including: a rotatable reel to support a pluralityof rotatable web rolls having core-engaging means, each of which rollsis alternately an active roll with its running web threaded into amachine and a replenishing roll the web oi which is to be united to therunning Web of an active roll; a backing member no-rcally out of Contactwith the running web and normally idle but capable of movement byengagement with the rimning web; means to turn the reel to bring theperiphery of the replenishing roll into contact with the running web tothereby deflect the latter into engagement with the backing member so asto eiect a pasted joint between the two webs, and means to rotate thereplenishing roll through its core-engaging means when the active web isdeiiected into engagement with the backing member.

12. Web supply means including: a rotatable reel to support a pluralityof rotatable web rolls having core-engaging means, each of which rollsis alternately an active roll with its running web threaded into amachine and a replenishing roll the web of which is to. be united to therunning Web of an active roll; a backing member norcally out of contactwith the running web and normally idle but capable of movement byengagement with the running web; means to turn the reel to bring theperiphery of the replenishing roll into contact with the running web tothereby deflect the latter into engagement with the backing member so asto eiect a pasted joint between the two webs; and means, controlled byrotation of the reel to bring the replenishing roll toward the activeweb, to rotate the replenishing roll through its core-engaging means.

13. Web supply means including: a support having an active web roll theweb of which is threaded into a machine that unwinds the web from theroll; a support having core-engaging means for a rotatable replenishingweb roll the web of which is to be united to the running web; means tobring the periphery of the replenishing web roll into engagement withthe running web to thereby initiate rotation of the replenishing roll;normally inactive actuating means, other than the running web, to drivesaid replenishing roll; and a control device for the actuating means,controlled by initial rotation of the replenishing roll, to render theactuating means active todrive the replenishing roll.

14. Web supply means including: a support having an active web roll theweb of which is threaded into a machine that unwinds the web from theroll; a support having core-engaging means for a rotatable replenishingWeb roll the web of which is to be united to the running web; means tobring the periphery of the replenishing web roll into engagement withthe running web t-o thereby initate rotation of the replenishing roll;normally inactive actuating means, other than the running web, to drivesaid replenishing roll; and a control device for the actuating means,controlled by initial rotation of the replenishing roll, to render theactuating means active to drive the replenishing roll.

15. In a web supply means: a rotatable reel; a plurality of sets ofrotatable core-engaging means for a plurality of web rolls; normallyinactive actuating means other than the running web to drive each webroll o-ne at a time; and a control device for the actuating meanscontrolled by rotation of the reel and by initial rotation of the rollto be driven to render the actuating means active to drive the web roll.

16. In a Web supply means: a rotatable reel; a plurality of sets ofrotatable coreengaging means for a plurality of web rolls; normallyinactive actuating means other' than the running web to drive each webroll one at a time through the core-engaging means; and a control devicefor the actuating means controlled by rotation of the reel and byinitial rotation of the roll to be driven to render the actuating meansactive to drive the webroll. Y

1'7. Web supply means including: a rotatable reel to support a,plurality of rotatable Web rolls having core-engaging means, each ofwhich rolls is alternately an active roll with its running web threadedinto a machine and a replenishing roll the web Yof which is to be unitedto the running Web of an active roll; normally inactive actuating means,other than the running web, to drive each web roll one at a time; and acontrol device for the actuating means controlled by rotation of thereel and by initial rotation of the roll to be driven to render theactuating means active to drive the web roll.

18. Web-supply means including: a rotatable reel to support a pluralityof rotatable web rolls having core-engaging means, each of which rollsis alternately an active roll with its running web threaded into amachine and a replenishing roll the web of which is to be united to therunning web of an active roll; normally inactive actuating means, otherthan the running web, to drive each web roll one at a time through thecoreengaging means; and a control device for the actuating meanscontrolled by rotation of the reel and by initial rotation of the rollto be driven to render the actuating means active to drive the web roll.

19. Web supply means including: a support having an active web roll theweb of which is threaded into a machine that unwinds the Web from theroll; a support having core-engaging means for a rotatable replenishingweb roll the Web of which is to be united to the running web; a backingmember normally out of contact With the running web and normally idlebut capable of movement by engagement with the running web; means tobring the periphery of the re plenishing roll into contact with therunning web to thereby deflect the latter into engagement with thebacking member so as to effect a pasted joint between Athe two Webs; andmeans, controlled by rotation of the replenishing roll, to rotate thereplenishing roll.

20. Web supply means including: a rotatable reel to support a pluralityof rotatable web rolls having core-engaging means, each of which rollsis alternately an active roll with its running Web threaded into amachine and a replenishing roll the web of which is to be united to therunning web of an active roll; a backing member normally out of contactwith the running web and normally idle but capable of movement byengagement with the running web; means to turn the reel to bring theperiphery of the replenishing roll into contact with the running web tothereby deflect the latter into engagement with the backing member so asto effect a pasted joint between the two webs; and means, controlled byrotation of the reel and by rotation of the replenishing roll, to rotatethe replenishing roll.

21. Web supply means including: a support having an active Web roll theweb of which is threaded into a machine that unWinds the web from theroll; a support having core-engaging means for a rotatable replenishingWeb roll the web of which is to be united `to the running Web; a motorto rotate the replenishing roll through its core-engaging means; abacking member normally out of Contact With the running web; and meansto move the periphery of the replenishing roll into contact with therunning web to deflect the latter into engagement with the backingmember to effect a pasted joint between the two Webs and to decrease theload on the motor that rotates the replenishing roll Without subjectingthe running web to undue strain.

22. Web supply means including: a support having an active web roll theweb of which is threaded into a machine that unwinds the web from theroll; a support having core-engaging means for a rotatable replenishingweb roll the the active roll to varyv the eiectiveness of the brakemechanism; a motor to rotate the replenishing roll through itscore-engaging means; a backing member normally out of contact with therunning web; and means to move the periphery of the replenishing rollinto contact with the running web to deflect the latter into engagementwith the backing member to effect a pasted joint between the two Websand to decrease the load on the motor that rotates the replenishing rollWithout subjecting the running web to undue strain to thereby avoidexcessive movem'ent of the controller and brake mechanism.

V23. In a Web supply means: a rotatable reel; a plurality of sets ofrotatable core-engaging means for a plurality of web rolls; a pluralityof means for a plurality of Web rolls; a plurality ofv electric motors,one for each web roll, to drive said web rolls one at a time through thecore-A engaging means; and means, controlled by rotation of the reel andby rotation of the vroll to be driven, to energize the motor of thatreplenishing roll which is to be driven.

25. Web supply means including: a rotatable reel to support a pluralityof rotatable web rolls having core-engaging means, each of which rollsis alternatively an active roll with is running web threaded into amachine and a replenishing roll the Web of which is to be united to therunning Web of an active roll; a plurality of electric motors, one foreach web roll, to drive said web rolls one at a time; and means,controlled by rotation of the reel and by rotation of the roll to bedriven, to energize the motor of that re plenishing roll which is to bedriven.

26. Web supply means including: a rotatable reel to support a pluralityof rotatable web rolls having core-engaging means, each of which rollsis alternatively an active roll with its running web threaded into amachine and a replenishing roll the web of which is to be united to therunning Web of an .active roll; a plurality of electric motors, one foreach Web roll, to drive said Web rolls one at a time through thecore-engaging means; .and means, controlled by rotation of the reel andby rotation of the roll to be driven, to energize the motor of thatreplenishing roll which is to be driven.

DAVID J. SCOTT.

